Games hinges on state action

PAPUA New Guinea’s reputation in the region stands to be sullied after revelations from the visiting Pacific Games Council (PGC) representatives last week that we are not where we should be in terms of hosting a successful Pacific Games come 2015.
We have dragged our feet it seems. Since winning the bid to host the Pacific Games in 2009 – with much fanfare – progress on the ground has been agonisingly slow. To the casual observer, three years may seem like ample time to have the facilities prepared and to organise and train the large troops of volunteers including technical, catering, medical, logistical and administrative staff involved in an exercise of this magnitude.
But that is not a view shared by PGC president Vidya Lakhan, who arrived in Port Moresby last week to see for himself the progress PNG sports authorities and the government had made since signing the host city contract in late 2009.
The PNG Pacific Games Association, which comprised the country’s leading sporting bodies (PNG Sports Federation and Olympic Games and PNG Sports Foundation), are affiliated to the PGC and secretary-general of the PNGSFOC Auvita Rapilla acknowledged mid-week that the country was behind the eight-ball because there had not been any tangible development with regards to the building and upgrading of facilities.
However, she did point out that all was not lost and that PNG was capable of hostsing the Games in three years’ time – all that was needed now was for the major stakeholders (see the government) to move quickly but surely on the processes involved in setting up the committees and the oversight board to manage the preparation stages.
The problem now is that legislation passed by the government is deficient in some regards and does not fulfill the host city contract entered into by the Pacific Games Association and national government with the Pacific Games Council. “It is important we take heed of the concerns and message from the Pacific Games Council (PGC) given that two years have gone without any real progress,” Rapilla said.
“The Pacific Games (2015) legislation was passed on Sept 6 last year.
“However, the composition of the Pacific Games Authority board does not comply with the host city contract which reflects the charter of the Pacific Games Council.”
It is important to note that the Pacific Games brand and concept is the sole property of the PGC and therefore the hosting nation must comply with the contract conditions of the contract.
“The host contract and charter requires the composition of the board to consist of three PGA officials; three government officials and one PGC official.”
Rapilla said in spite of the legislation being passed, it was still deficient. “The current legislation only has one PGA official, and we are currently negotiating with the government to honour the host contract.” 
Why is this an issue? 
According to Rapilla the Pacific Games Council is concerned that if the host contract cannot be honoured from the start then that signals future problems as well.
“The PNGSFOC in its capacity as the PNG PGA and as a member of the PGC, bid for the games with the full support and undertaking of our government to host the Games and, as a member of PGC, we are bound by the charter.”
It is clear that the government must make the Games a priority and, through Sports Minister Sali Subam, must facilitate the required amendment to the Pacific Games Act. Then we come to the committees tasked with getting the city of Port Moresby ready.
The Pacific Games (2015) Authority, as mentioned earlier, is an oversight body to ensure transparency and accountability of the Venues, Infrastructure and Equipment Committee (VIEC) and Games Organising Committee; and that the games are delivered according to plan. The VIEC and GOC are the delivery mechanisms of the games.
The VIEC right now has no permanently appointed head or members. This is an unfortunate situation that the government must hasten to correct.
It is understood that Subam will announce the appointees for the VIEC as well as changes if any to the Games legislation.
These actions are long overdue and we hope that this will be the catalyst to finally getting Port Moresby and PNG back in the game.